No one's POV

Ikelos:—Like I've been telling you, my brats have been catching those monsters.

Gareth narrowed his eyes as a god's confession dissolved into the sky.

Ikelos: They were after money in the black market, but the darn things escaped, as you can see.

Gareth: And you're expectin' me to believe that?

Ikelos: If my word isn't enough, I'll tell you right where to go in the sewers beneath Daedalus Street. You'll see the cages where these monsters were kept.

Ikelos had appeared on the rooftop with Gareth and Fels mere moments ago when the dwarf was distracted by the black bull's entrance. Then, he suddenly began explaining his involvement in the situation.

Ikelos: So, how about letting Black Cloak here go, eh?

Gareth:......

Ikelos: The poor sap's got nothing to do with my brats. Just got caught up in all this, is all.

Ikelos pointed his finger a few times at the black-robed figure, who was still as a statue, facing away. While he wasn't lying, he was also not telling the truth. After decades of training under Loki, Gareth could see through Ikelos's faint grin and decided to press for an answer to what had been on his mind from the start.

GarethL And why are you tellin' me here and now?

Ikelos: Because I lost...Had to do what the winner wanted.

Right after he said that... The black-robed figure jumped from the rooftop, slipping away during a lull in the conversation. Gareth sighed as he saw his quarry disappear over the edge but made no efforts to pursue.

Gareth:...I'll be askin' fer details later. For now, ye're comin' with me.

Ikelos: Yeah, sure. Just be gentle, okay?

Ignoring Ikelos's words and his grin, Gareth grabbed hold of the deity's collar. As the battle escalated out of the corner of his eye, the dwarf knew that time was of the essence and paid no attention to the screaming god as he bounded through the air.

Hermes: Looks like he's on his way.

Fels:...You have my thanks, God Hermes.

—Hiding in a backstreet, Fels watched Gareth disappear from the rooftop above and turned to thank Hermes, standing before him. Not only had Hermes been observing the battle from his vantage point on top of the brick tower, he had also witnessed Gareth's approach behind Fels and convinced Ikelos to intervene with a one-sided negotiation. Knowing that the mage functioned as Ouranos's right hand, he had saved Fels by offering up the deity instead.

Hermes: What can I say? The way things are now, we're gonna need your power to get through this, Sage.

Fels:...I go by Fels now, God Hermes.

The black-robed mage sounded bashful, but the dandy god simply shrugged. But Hermes knew that there was no time for small talk and got right to the
point.

Hermes: All right then, Fels. As a way to thank me for saving your life, I've a favor to ask...Sora is alone right now. Please help him.

Fels: But...were I to leave now, the Xenos...

Hermes: Thanks to that Red Juggernaut, things should work out okay, don't you think? And from what I've seen, Braver wants to capture them alive. Worse shouldn't come to worst today.

Hermes carefully crafted his argument. A few moments passed in heavy silence, and then the deity narrowed his eyes behind the brim of his hat.

Hermes: I have a lot of things I'd like to sweep under the rug as well, you know? I'm sure Ouranos's right arm understands.

Fels:......

Hermes: This won't make amends for the past but...could you find it in your heart to do this for me?

Hermes leaned in close to whisper beside the silent mage's hood. Fels took a few moments to think before extending a hand toward Hermes. Then several black spheres, smaller than an oculus, fell from the black glove into the palm of his outstretched hand.

Fels: These are for an emergency. Break them to use them.

Hermes:...Understood. I am Hermes and swear by my name. Lulune.

Hermes handed the spheres to a chienthrope girl who appeared from deeper down the alley. Watching her disappear, Fels set out in accordance with Hermes's will.

Hermes: Sora and the vouivre were headed south. I bet they're out of Daedalus Street, probably somewhere in the Pleasure Quarter reconstruction project by now.

Fels: Acknowledged.

After Hermes had imparted what he saw from on top of the tower, Fels sped down a path leading southeast.

(Timeskip)

The battle raged on. Combat between first-tier adventurers and the Red Juggernaut had reached a fever pitch. One step forward, one step back. Offense and defense switched sides every second in an epic back-and-forth while the other adventurers gawked. However, numbers were on the adventurers' side. Once Tiona and Bete ignored Tione's raging fury and showed some semblance of teamwork, the monster was forced to give ground. However, for the crimson beast, his three opponents barely give him the thrill of the fight.

Ddraig: RAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar!!

On the other hand, Aiz was relieved when she heard that overwhelming roar, when she saw that crimson-red body, the very image of fear and menace. And even though the piercing howl immediately rendered the residents unconscious, even though its arms as thick as logs blew away several of her comrades, even though its brutal claws was glinting in the sunlight, sowing destruction in its path, in the corner of her heart roiled by shock, Aiz felt reassured. Because this was the kind of monster she knew.

Ddraig: Raaaaaar!

It was a crimson-red Juggernaut. Tiona, Tione, and Bete barely managed to hold their ground, while the other members were cornered by its restraint and unable to intervene. Just as the Level 6s were about to take control of the battle by leveraging their numbers, the titanic monster unsheathed an ax from behind its back.

Bete, Tiona, Tione: ?!

The colossal weapon ripped through the ground, kicking up a storm of electrical discharges and scattering the dried clots of blood on its blade to reveal its golden color. It was a magic blade with the lightning attribute.

Bathed in a net of thunder, the first-tier adventurers couldn't help but freeze for an instant. The red juggernaut swung the ax upward, piercing the heavens as it flipped into position to mercilessly attack them.

Finn: Riveria, Asuna! The barrier!

Finn shouted, abandoning all pretenses of composure.

Riveria: Via Shilheim!!

Asuna: Shooting Star Shield!!

Two voice rang out a resonant, casting the spell to form a magic barrier in the shape of a dome. It protected the unconscious residents at the same time as the juggernaut unleashed its next blast.

Ddraig:—​RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!​

Lightning flooded the area like a crashing wave. Bete stuck out his Frosvirt to absorb the impact, but the thunderous explosion of lightning couldn't be contained. Bete, Tiona, and Tione bore the brunt of the attack and were sent flying back as the other members were swallowed up in a whirlpool of light.

The undulating rays of light ripped up the cobblestones, leaving rows of houses obliterated in their wake. Other than Riveria's barrier, nothing escaped destruction. This was the largest amount of damage that had been dealt since the start of the battle against the monsters. Once the thunderous bombardment passed through, the smoke cleared to reveal a demolished street with the members of Loki Familia collapsed on the ground. Everyone had been wiped out—except for Bete and the two sisters.

Finn: We're done with trying ti bring it alive—

The Red Juggernaut stood in the center of the street pulverized from that location onward to the western end. Everything had been turned to rubble, save the eastern end of the street where the defeated armed monsters lay in a crumpled heap. Finn's eyes narrowed at the scene of destruction—and Aiz dashed out, unseen, alone, without saying a word or making a sound. She moved as though compelled by something, welcoming something, as she kicked the roof and whirled through the sky, landing behind the monster.

Finn:—Get him, Aiz!

Tap. The beast's back stiffened at the sound of her boots lightly striking the ground as she drew her trusted sword.

Aiz: Understood.

Aiz didn't take notice of the tone of her voice. There was a quality of serenity to it. And her gaze was calm as she stood before the roaring juggernaut spinning around to smash its ax down onto her.

Aiz: Awaken, Tempest.

She chanted in a sonorous voice, signaling an intent to kill.

Aiz: Aerial...

The wind whined. A tremendous flow of air rushed up, and her sword flashed. Releasing her magical energy, she let her emotions run free. In an instant, a flame darker than darkness lit up. A Pitch Black Wind. And in the next moment, the monster's right arm flew through the sky.

Everyone: —

Her comrades, Hestia Familia, the armed monsters, and the Red Juggernaut were silent. The flash of steel stole all their breaths away. A gentle breeze blew by, and the severed arm crashed to the ground. However, despite its blood spattered onto it's surrounding, the crimson beast didn't even gave a screech of the of pain. The mighty monster howl and the severed arm instantly regenerated at a terrifying speed. Taken aback by this revelation, the adventurers were at a loss for words. Aiz however, the wind shielded the girl's body from it all, functioning as her armor. Her heart was calm.

There was no doubt—straightforward to the point that it surprised her.As her long blond locks rippled in the wind, Aiz held the beauty of a goddess on the battlefield, swinging her sword at the giant monster before her —mercilessly, even cruelly.

Aiz: Here I come.

Aiz warned. The Red Juggernaut gave a knowing grin towards his new opponent and sent spittle flying as it furiously started to counterattack, but Aiz kept her composure, playing a melody by slicing her sword through the wind.

Aiz:  Argh?!

She unleashed seemingly thousands of slashes from all angles. Sheathed in the wind, Desperate cut through the armored enemy's body, sending splashes of blood flying. But her sword didn't stop. Aiz's whole body flitted around, slicing up a storm into the enemy standing before her.

Ddraig: RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR!

In the blink of an eye, it was covered in blood, but its eyes flared, ready to fight back—as a monster that surpassed human intellect. It pushed forward, abandoning its defenses. With one arm and one foot in its grave, it forced itself to launch a counterattack. Unloading a single tail strike with enough force to turn everything to dust, it knocked back her stream of slashes. Her field of vision quivering, Aiz was shocked for a moment but regained her fighting spirit—and awe.

Aiz(mind): Ah. How strong. How terrifying. How dreadful. Yes, this is—

Rin: Th-that's...

Her sword growled as she accelerated, and the world around her seemed to freeze in time. As her eyes lost sight of everything but the red monster before her, Aiz was no longer capable of noticing someone murmuring. As the person witnessed the frozen features of the Sword Princess and the furious slashes filled with black flames, their voice quivered.

Mikoto: That's...the War Princess.

Someone had called her that long ago: the War Princess, monster slayer in a girl's skin, the one who'd built untold mountains of monster corpses, the reckless fighter who never tired of descending into the depths of the Dungeon over and over.

As her sword danced, she reverted to her appearance as the Doll Princess, one she'd long ago left behind—all the more beautiful for the perilousness of it. She inspired fear and terror in the monsters and Loki Familia.

But Aiz didn't notice that she was unconsciously using the skill she'd forbidden herself from using on others.

Riveria and Asuna:...Aiz.

She didn't process the murmur of two high elf watching as she became possessed by the battle.

Aiz(mind): Good—

Aiz felt relieved before the crimson-red juggernaut, the incarnation of violence.

Aiz(mind): This is a monster. This is a beast. I'm not in the wrong.

The image of her big brother protecting the vouivre faded from her mind.

Aiz(mind): I knew I wasn't wrong. Monsters must be killed.

As the juggernaut joyously roared for more combat, Aiz danced, unleashing a loud hum with the wind. The young version of Aiz in a corner of her heart was peering at her, lonely, but she pretended not to see her as she tore into the crimson-red Juggernaut.

(Elsewhere)

Arcus: Lefiya, get a move on!

Lefiya: O-okay!

While Loki Familia's main group was clashing with the red juggernaut, Lefiya and the others were headed to the southern end of Daedalus Street. Following Finn's orders, they had formed a four-man cell to hound the fleeing vouivre.

Nick: Lightning Flash, you bastard. Showing your true colors!

Stark: He's actually serious in protecting monster?! Calling them human! Just how hypocritical can he be?!

Lefiya:...

The human and elf familia members voiced their irritation as they sprinted. They had endless insults for the very adventurer whom had saved their famnilia countless of times was now inviting unnecessary chaos by protecting a monster.

Unable to differentiate between humans and monsters? How much of a hypocrite can he be? That's how Sora Yatagami appeared to them. That was the only way they could rationalize his actions. Their incandescent rage took the form of open disdain. It was an obvious conclusion. Lefiya alone kept quiet, lips pursed, face unreadable.

Lefiya(mind): Just what is Mister Sora thinking?!

Lefiya wasn't feeling the same anger as the others. She was perplexed. Compared to the others, she'd had more interactions with Sora Yatagami and, at the very least, understood his nature. A selfish desire. A vision clouded by riches. Those words could never be used to describe him.

A greedy adventurer? A hypocrite? It was so uncharacteristic that instead of bursting with rage, she was more likely to look to the heavens for some explanation. If he was that kind of adventurer, he could have gotten through life a lot easier. That was why she couldn't figure it out.

Lefiya(mind): Why would he go this far to protect a monster? Even if it resulted in him being called the number one enemy to all humanity?

Lefiya was trying to process a comparable feeling of shock to Asuna, Aiz and Tiona when she saw him protect the vouivre. Instead of criticizing him, she was unsure how to respond even now.

Lefiya(mind): Why are you doing this? You're someone outside my Familia that I've come to admire just as much as Miss Asuna and Miss Aiz. So why...?

To Lefiya, Sora Yatagami was dazzling. A true and incredible good hearted person. Someone who doesn't care for appearances and would choose to lose everything for the sake and good for others without thinking twice. Someone who is not afraid to voice out his Ideals from the top of his lungs. A foolish naive man. Someone whom Lefiya deep down admire so much. Someone Lefiya wanted to become. That was why she was so unhappy with him—acting in a way that would invite misunderstanding.

Lefiya: Other adventurers are...!

The light from the setting sun shone on Lefiya's face as a bunch of adventurers from all different familias started appearing on the scene upon hearing the uproar on Daedalus Street. They'd gathered to get the situation under control: If they were going to take out the monster, they needed to act now. Lefiya and the other members from Loki Familia split up and jumped into the forest of interlocking buildings, rushing in the direction from where the cries and dust clouds were originating.

Citizen 1: Eep?! Noooooooooooooo!

Citizen 2: Whoa, hey, adventurers?! Over here! Over here!!

The howls of the monster's advance were without end, and its piercing wails echoed all around. With the others, Lefiya became uneasy as they witnessed weeping prostitutes and their children clambering to escape before them. Their group accelerated, stepping out onto a straight road.

Arcus: There it is!

They confirmed the sight of the vouivre's titanic body in the distance. And just before it, the back of a black-haired boy as he was trying to stop the monster's rampage.

Arcus: We're going to circle around! Lefiya, hit it with your magic from here!

Lefiya: Yes, sir!

The other three people in her cell moved ahead as Lefiya raised her staff, Forest Teardrop. She could see that the vouivre had already been injured— the adventurers lying in wait must have hit it with their own attacks. The dragon tail hanging from its lower body had a javelin sticking out of it, and from its slender back sprouted arrows. The monster unleashed a pained roar as Lefiya prepared to chant when she saw something unbelievable.

Sora: Roar, Lightning!

It was magic. The swordsman had cast magic—at the adventurers.

Lefiya: ?!

She couldn't believe her eyes. The electrical shock crackled, blowing away the adventurers trying to intercept the monster.

Lefiya: Wh—?!

Adventurers: Arrrrrgh?!

None of them were able to deal with it—because none of them expected to be attacked by a fellow adventurer, especially a first-tier adventurer known as the people's Light of Hope, not here, not now. Their weapons were shattered while their bodies suffered burns as they plunged from the collapsing rooftop. Lefiya was at a loss for words at his eccentric behavior— something that far surpassed simple barbarism.

Sora Yatagami's magic was a menace.

It was the same as Lefiya's beloved Aiz and Asuna's Wind and Water Enchantment magic. And he could freely manipulate them for a Swift-Strike spell. Not only that, it had the power beyond that of a high level 7. His magic had far surpassed the strongest mage in the city Riveria Ljos Alf. It shot off at a speed that hardly anyone could hope to block—the members of Loki Familia focused on the monster were no exception. They took a direct hit when they were about to attack the vouivre, and their heads smacked into the wall and the ground upon impact.

Lefiya: Wh—?

Lefiya(mind): What are your intentions?! What are you doing?! If you do that...!

As her mind fogged over, Lefiya's apprehensions became reality.

Adventurer 1: Lightning Flash, you bastard!

Adventurer 2: What kind of a Hero are you?!

Adventurer 3: Protecting monsters?!

Adventurer 4: Are you out of your mind?!

A violent swirl of rage and abuse welled up among the adventurers. Lefiya's hands started to tremble, feeling as though the abuse and slander hurled at Sora was aimed at her. The residents who had been desperately trying to flee froze in place, dumbfounded, and the children started to bawl at an increased urgency, adding to the chaos of the situation. But despite all of that, Sora kept firing off magic. He was pushing everyone away from the vouivre protecting it while chasing after the rampaging monster.

Lefiya: Ngh!

Gripping her staff, Lefiya sprinted with all her might. Taking the shortest path along the top of the roofs, she finally raced fast enough to line up alongside him.

Lefiya: Mister Sora!! What are you doing?!!

Lefiya screamed.

Sora: Gh...!

He glanced over at her once, but that was the limit of his response. His twisted face didn't allow for a dialogue as he sped up, trying to leave her in the dust.

Lefiya(mind): Are you ignoring me?!

Lefiya seethed.

Lefiya: Wait! Answer! My! Question!

She huffed, shouting over the wind whipping against her body.

Sora: Yui!! It's me!! Please, stop!! Yui!!

However, the swordsman continue franticly calling whom Lefiya probably realized the vouivre's name Yui, trying to get his message across. He was focused on the monster making its escape, and he'd discarded everything except for that.

Lefiya: What are you saying...? Why? Why...?!

Lefiya growled.

Lefiya(mind): Why do you look like you're suffering?! Look at me! Who is this Yui you're trying to save?! Explain yourself! If you don't, I won't be able to understand anything! Please! The person I admire is not like that!

She screamed in her mind at the swordsman whose face was clearly conflicted and distressed.

Lefiya(mind): What happened to your usual resolute face? Shout something that always makes my chest burn hot! Don't make a pitiful face! That expression doesn't fit you at all! Those are a face of someone protecting something precious! Please...! Show me the face that I loved to see so much!

She couldn't hold together the list of all the things filling her heart. Lefiya certainly didn't want to see him in this sad state. It wasn't disappointment or despair but unpleasant. As the very adventurer she aspired to become, she wanted to ask about his true intentions. At this point, she wasn't even chasing the monster. She was chasing him.

Adventurer 1: Guaaaagh?!

Lefiya: ?!

With the screams echoing around her, she had no choice but to give up on questioning him. Adventurers kept collapsing, blood flowing freely from their wounds, and the vouivre continued to rampage. Without the red stone on its forehead, the dragon had become entirely indiscriminate, no more calculating than a storm now. Her eyes wavered, and Lefiya had to destroy the monster.

Lefiya: Unleashed pillar of light, limbs of the holy tree. You are the master archer!

She cast concurrently, sprinting at full speed. Sora's shoulders quivered as he felt the magical energy building, and he looked back at her for the first time. He hesitated to fire off a spell—possibly because she was an acquaintance and someone Sora had acknowledge as an adventurer—then he began screaming as if he were being split in two.

Sora: Please stop, Lefiya!! That's not a monster!! That vouivre is just a girl!!

Lefiya(mind): Don't be unreasonable! If I let it go, more people will get hurt. In the worst case, the ordinary civilians will get tossed around like the adventurers are now. This is long past the point of trivial grievances. If I fail to stop it, you're the one who's going to face a tragic future!

Lefiya: Loose your arrows, fairy archers. Pierce, arrow of accuracy!

Lefiya cast, thrusting out her staff and firing her spell with a contorted face.

Lefiya: Arcs Ray!

A single shot of magic homed in on its target. After it was released, the missile would not disappear until it hit home. This was an arrow that would never miss. The ray of light shone with enough power to lay low a large-scale monster. Upon seeing that dazzling light, the swordsman turned around in despair.

Lefiya: ?!

He leaped into the path of the magic, spreading his arms, trying to intercept the ray of light before it hit the vouivre.

Lefiya gazed in wonder as he attempted to physically shield the monster.

Lefiya: A-Alio?!

She immediately chanted a spell to disperse it. When it was hit by the homing spellkey magic, Arcs Ray scattered just before reaching him.

Sora: Grrrrrrrrrrrm?!

Even though he wasn't directly hit by it, Sora was blasted away when it exploded directly in front of him. With smoke rising from his armor, the battered swordsman leaped to his feet and resumed his chase of the vouivre. Lefiya was left behind, dumbfounded.

Lefiya:...Why?

In the middle of the road, the legs of the elf stopped moving.

Lefiya(mind): Why would you go that far? Why would you go to such lengths to protect a monster? Why do I feel this way about you when I'm right and you're wrong?

She couldn't wrap her head around it.

Lefiya:...Wait, Mister Sora!!

She screeched at the back moving away from her position on the street. But the swordsman didn't pay her any heed. It was as if he didn't want to waste a second in his pursuit of the vouivre. He persisted in playing the fool. Lefiya clenched both fists, ignored again and again, her body starting to tremble. Her long ears turned red to their tips, and as if she could bear it no more, she closed her eyes, roaring as loudly as she could.

Lefiya: Your reason! Your situation!...Explain yourseeeeeeelf!!

The sun dipped below the city walls. As dusk set in, the screams of the bright-red elf echoed across the evening sky.